Am I Getting Enough?

Many people are worried about whether they are getting enough essential vitamins and minerals the body needs in their daily diet. Here are 3 examples of how you can tell if you are deficient.

Vitamin A - it is a fat soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver, so it can be used by the body when needed. It helps strengthen the immune system to fight infections and is important for skin, bone, and vision. Vitamin A is found in fruits and vegetables that are red, orange, yellow and dark green, especially carrots.

is also found in eggs, fish, liver and dairy products. However, too much vitamin A derived from the liver can be toxic, which can increase the risk of bone fractures - this does not apply to non-animal foods. You could be deficient in this essential nutrient, if you suffer from dry eyes or difficulty seeing at night.

Magnesium - this mineral helps to regulate heart rate, insulin, and energy production and nerve function, reduce blood pressure and helps to relax your muscles. Magnesium is depleted of stress and physical activity. It is found in brown rice and other grains, nuts and seeds and dark green vegetables. You could be deficient in this essential mineral, if you suffer from leg cramps and muscle spasms, sleep and waking up feeling very tired. If you suffer from PMS, your magnesium levels may be low. People who eat lots of processed foods may find that they become a lack of magnesium.

Zinc - this is an extremely important mineral, vital for the immune system, as well as for healing, growth and digestion. It could even help with fertility. body can not store zinc, so you need to make sure you get enough in their diet. High levels of zinc can be obtained from the oyster - but if it does not appeal, you can get it in red meat and poultry, beans, peas, whole grains and nuts. You could be deficient in this essential mineral, if you get lots of colds, skin problems or even hair loss.

to check with your GP if you're worried about any symptoms that you May be suffering from the above.